Martin and Zimmerman

July 8, 2013 - Jim Anderson

About all that can be said for sure about the tragic confrontation is that Zimmerman was armed and Martin was not.

In considering Zimmerman’s version, I wonder how this case would have unfolded if Martin had succeeded in getting Zimmerman’s gun and shooting him dead.

Self-defense?

Might seem ridiculous at first glance. But Martin sensed that he was being stalked. By a man who turned out to be armed.

Zimmerman, even if his account is true, never explained himself to Martin. He claimed not to have a problem with Martin, despite his now well-known suspicions.

By Zimmerman’s own admission, regardless of whether Martin threw the first blow, the face-to-face confrontation began with a fib from Zimmerman — an armed man who was keeping an eye on an unarmed teen.

Maybe it’s a small transgression, or no transgression, and maybe it would have made no difference in the end, but what prevented the neighborhood watchman Zimmerman from identifying himself as such to Martin?

I suppose, for all Zimmerman knew, the teen was carrying a weapon that he wouldn’t hesitate to use.

But for all the teen knew, Zimmerman was a pervert or a serial killer.

I have no idea how this case will be resolved. But I haven’t noticed much attention to self-defense from Martin’s possible point of view.

And whether Zimmerman even recognized the problem of an unexplained pursuit.

If it’s true, as Zimmerman claims, that Martin attacked viciously and threatened to kill, what, in hindsight, could have been a plausible motivation other than fear for his own life? That Zimmerman would take his Skittles?

Or are we to believe that Martin was just angry and impulsive, a watchman killer born on the spot ... .